Roehr Motorcycle Company

Roehr Motorcycle Company was an American motorcycle manufacturer associated with Rick Roehr and based in Gurnee, Illinois. The company pursued a niche position in the high-performance motorcycle market, combining American engineering, lightweight construction, unconventional packaging, and engines sourced or adapted from other manufacturers. It ultimately closed in 2012 after failing to establish sustainable demand for its expensive limited-production motorcycles and after its electric models attracted no reported sales. The company's technical history preceded its formal commercial activity. In 1995, Walter Roehrich began developing a 500 cc two-stroke V-twin using Yamaha YZ250 engine components and a purpose-built prototype crankcase. The resulting Roehr Rv500 was reported to produce approximately 115 horsepower and was shown to the press in 2000. Roehr intended to produce the motorcycle in small numbers, but incorporating direct fuel injection and satisfying emissions requirements made the project too costly to manufacture. The Rv500 therefore remained a development and demonstration project rather than a regular production model. Roehr next explored a more practical production platform. The Rv1000 prototype, revealed in 2004, used a 936 cc, 60-degree four-stroke V-twin made by US Highland. The engine was selected in part for its low weight, which supported Roehr's performance-oriented design goals. The project did not secure sufficient investor interest and the Rv1000 was never put into production. The company's principal commercial effort was the V-Roehr. Introduced in March 2007, the motorcycle was initially described as the V-Roehr 1130 and was planned around a supercharged Harley-Davidson 1250 cc Revolution engine, with an intended output of about 180 horsepower. Roehr announced plans to build an initial run of 50 motorcycles beginning in 2008, with a proposed price of US$39,995. The design used a 12-liter fuel tank located beneath the seat; the apparent conventional fuel tank served as a cover for the airbox and intake system associated with the V-Rod-derived engine. Side-mounted Honda radiators helped preserve the motorcycle's narrow profile. An updated V-Roehr 1250 followed in late 2008. It used the 1,250 cc version of the Revolution engine and a Rotrex supercharger. The model was promoted as producing approximately 180 horsepower and was described as the most powerful production motorcycle available in the United States at the time. Its announced price rose to US$49,999. The timing was unfavorable, however, because the global financial crisis reduced demand for high-priced discretionary products. Of twelve deposits reportedly placed for the 1250, eleven were cancelled, leaving the company without the customer base needed to support its limited-production strategy. In 2009, Roehr turned to electric propulsion and developed the eSupersport and eSuperbike. Both were based on a Hyosung GT250 chassis, a decision intended to reduce development costs compared with designing a proprietary chassis. The eSupersport used one electric motor with performance described as equivalent to 48 horsepower, while the eSuperbike used two motors with an equivalent output of 96 horsepower. Their battery packs contained 180 and 240 individual cells respectively, and stated range estimates were between 70 and 100 miles depending on model and conditions. The eSupersport was listed at US$16,965 and the eSuperbike at US$27,595. Despite the lower prices relative to the V-Roehr range, neither electric model reportedly achieved sales. Roehr stopped producing motorcycles in 2012 and the company is now defunct.

Roehr Motorcycle Company's development began before the business's formal 2005 founding. In 1995, Walter Roehrich started constructing a 500 cc two-stroke V-twin using Yamaha YZ250 engine parts and a prototype crankcase. The resulting Rv500 reportedly produced 115 horsepower and was shown to the press in 2000. Although the company considered a limited manufacturing run, the expense of adding direct fuel injection and meeting emissions regulations made the motorcycle commercially impractical. Roehr then shifted toward a four-stroke production concept. The Rv1000 prototype appeared in 2004 with a 936 cc, 60-degree V-twin supplied by US Highland. The engine's low weight suited Roehr's goal of building a powerful but comparatively light sport motorcycle. The project did not attract investors and never entered production. Rick Roehr subsequently established the Roehr Motorcycle Company in 2005, with the business based in Illinois. The company's best-known motorcycle was the V-Roehr, unveiled in March 2007. The original 1130 concept was planned with a supercharged Harley-Davidson Revolution-family engine and an intended output of about 180 horsepower. Roehr proposed an initial run of 50 motorcycles from 2008 and announced a price of US$39,995. The motorcycle's engineering included an under-seat fuel tank and a dummy upper tank that covered the airbox and intake. Honda radiators were mounted at the sides to maintain a slim silhouette. An updated V-Roehr 1250 was presented in late 2008. Its 1,250 cc Revolution engine used a Rotrex supercharger and was promoted as producing 180 horsepower. The listed price rose to US$49,999. The product's timing coincided with the Great Recession, which harmed demand for expensive discretionary goods. Of twelve reported customer deposits, eleven were cancelled, sharply reducing the commercial viability of the project. Roehr changed direction again in 2009 by developing electric motorcycles. The eSupersport and eSuperbike used a Hyosung GT250 chassis to avoid the cost of creating a new in-house frame. The eSupersport used one motor with an equivalent output of 48 horsepower, while the eSuperbike used two motors with an equivalent output of 96 horsepower. Their battery packs contained 180 and 240 cells respectively, with stated ranges of approximately 70 to 100 miles. The models were listed at US$16,965 and US$27,595. Neither reportedly generated sales. Roehr ceased motorcycle production in 2012 and subsequently became defunct.

• 2012

  Production ends

  [1]Roehr Motorcycle Companyen.wikipedia.org

  The company stopped producing motorcycles and closed down.

• 2009

  Electric motorcycle program begins

  [1]Roehr Motorcycle Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Roehr developed the eSupersport and eSuperbike electric sport motorcycles.

• 2008

  V-Roehr 1250 announced

  [1]Roehr Motorcycle Companyen.wikipedia.org

  The V-Roehr evolved into a 1,250 cc supercharged model with a stated price of US$49,999.

• 2007

  V-Roehr introduced

  [1]Roehr Motorcycle Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Roehr introduced the V-Roehr production motorcycle in March.

• 2005

  Roehr Motorcycle Company founded

  [1]Roehr Motorcycle Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Rick Roehr founded the company in Illinois to pursue production high-performance motorcycles.

• 2004

  Rv1000 prototype revealed

  [1]Roehr Motorcycle Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Roehr revealed the Rv1000 prototype, powered by a lightweight 936 cc US Highland V-twin.

• 2000

  Rv500 shown to the press

  [1]Roehr Motorcycle Companyen.wikipedia.org

  The prototype Rv500 was presented to the press with reported output of approximately 115 horsepower.

• 1995

  Early Rv500 development begins

  [1]Roehr Motorcycle Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Walter Roehrich began developing a 500 cc two-stroke V-twin using Yamaha YZ250 components and a prototype crankcase.

Exclusive, technically ambitious, track-oriented performance motorcycles with an emphasis on high power, distinctive engineering, and limited production.

• Prototype two-stroke sport motorcycle · 2000

  Roehr Rv500

  An early 500 cc two-stroke V-twin prototype developed from Yamaha YZ250 engine parts and a custom crankcase. The motorcycle was reported to produce 115 horsepower and was shown publicly in 2000. Roehr considered a limited production run, but fuel-injection and emissions-compliance costs prevented the project from reaching regular manufacture.

• Prototype four-stroke sport motorcycle · 2004

  Roehr Rv1000

  A 2004 prototype powered by a 936 cc, 60-degree V-twin supplied by US Highland. The engine was chosen for its low weight and potential suitability for a high-performance motorcycle. The project did not attract investors and was never manufactured as a production model.

• Supercharged sport motorcycle · 2007

  V-Roehr 1130

  The first announced production version of Roehr's V-Roehr, introduced in 2007. It was planned around a supercharged Harley-Davidson Revolution-family engine with an intended output of about 180 horsepower. Its distinctive layout placed the fuel tank beneath the seat and used a covered airbox and intake arrangement to preserve the bike's narrow appearance.

• Supercharged sport motorcycle · 2008

  V-Roehr 1250

  An updated V-Roehr introduced in late 2008 with the 1,250 cc version of the Revolution engine and a Rotrex supercharger. Roehr promoted it as producing 180 horsepower and priced it at US$49,999. The model targeted buyers seeking an exclusive, extremely powerful American sport motorcycle, but the recession led most reported deposit holders to cancel.

• Electric sport motorcycle · 2009

  Roehr eSupersport

  A battery-electric sport motorcycle developed on a Hyosung GT250 chassis. It used a single motor with performance described as equivalent to 48 horsepower and a battery pack containing 180 individual cells. The stated range was approximately 70 to 100 miles, and the listed price was US$16,965. No sales were reported.

• Electric superbike · 2009

  Roehr eSuperbike

  A higher-performance electric motorcycle using the same general Hyosung-based platform as the eSupersport. Two electric motors were described as delivering the equivalent of 96 horsepower, while the battery pack contained 240 cells. Its stated range was approximately 70 to 100 miles and its listed price was US$27,595. The model reportedly recorded no sales.

• 2009

  Shift into electric sport motorcyclesStrategy

  Background

  After weak demand for the expensive V-Roehr concept, Roehr explored electric propulsion as a new performance-motorcycle opportunity.

  Action taken

  The company developed the eSupersport and eSuperbike using a Hyosung GT250 chassis to reduce development expenditure.

  Aftermath

  Neither model reportedly sold, and Roehr ended all motorcycle production in 2012.

  Source

• 2008

  Move from the V-Roehr 1130 to the V-Roehr 1250Generation change

  Background

  Roehr sought to strengthen its flagship motorcycle by adopting the larger 1,250 cc version of the Revolution engine.

  Action taken

  The company updated the motorcycle with the larger engine and a Rotrex supercharger, while announcing approximately 180 horsepower.

  Aftermath

  The announced price rose to US$49,999, but the Great Recession weakened demand and eleven of twelve reported deposits were cancelled.

  Announced price. US$39,995 → US$49,999 (2007-2008)

  Source

1. 1Roehr Motorcycle Companyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Super-Sexy Silent Sportbikeswired.com
3. 3Roehr eSuperBike: $27,595, 210lb/ft, Hyosung GT250R framerideapart.com